Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Two words.....
Book Fair! I have children who LOVE to read. The problem with this you ask? Well we have so many books that their book shelves are overflowing....and we are moving. No book fair for us tonight!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Fasting, Inspiration, & Revelation
I read Elder Scott's talk from Conference titled, "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration For Your Personal Life". This talk was specifically for me. Well, this talk was one of many that were for me!! I have struggled most of my life with this topic. I don't know why, my Mom says that "I have a gift" for things like that. I don't see think so, and think she is generous and perhaps a bit biased. That said it has been my personal mission to try and receive, decipher, hear, understand, and act on promptings and receive revelation and inspiration. Sadly or more importantly I never understood the difference....until Elder Scott's talk. Just in case I'm not the only one Here is a quote from His talk,
"The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal jouney. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration." There you have it. Now I understand the difference.
Another important thing he talked about was dreams as a form of revelation. I seem to tend to this at times in my life. I have had dreams that I knew were revelation but questioned that because in the dream the person in it....ie a Bishop or Stake Pres. was no longer the Bishop or Stake Pres. in my dream. So it couldn't have been significant or prophetic dream right?.... Here's another quote that answered another question, "Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness. If you strive to capture the content immediately, you can record great detail, but otherwise it fades rapidly. Inspired communication in the night is generally accompanied by a sacred feeling for the entire experience. The Lord USES INDIVIDUALS FOR WHOM WE HAVE GREAT RESPECT TO TEACH US TRUTHS IN A DREAM BECAUSE WE TRUST THEM AND WILL LISTEN TO THEIR COUNSEL. It is the Lord doing the teaching through the Holy Ghost. However, He may in a dream make it both easier to understand and more likely to touch our hearts by teaching us through someone we love and respect."
That explains SO much for me. So when I finished listening, and reading and re-reading his talk I knew I had to do the things he talked about doing. One includes fasting properly......I don't fast very well. It's a weakness of mine. On Sunday, when it should be noted that I was fasting for revelation and inspiration, I thought I need to write a talk on Fasting. Why you ask? I have no idea....I don't really want to. I just had a feeling that I should. Writing a talk isn't what I do for fun but it wouldn't leave my mind So I sat down and started gathering my thoughts, I even wrote some things down. I quit though because I'm really trying to buckle down and get some things organized for the move coming up. Then it occured to me. Perhaps this was a prompting/inspiration....but why? Why would I need to write a talk now about a specific topic? The first answer is because I need it. Joy I thought....yet another weakness to work on. Then today I felt the real reason I needed to start writing. The Lord knows me. When he inspires me to do things or when there is change or something difficult for me He usually gives me advanced notice. A calling that is going to really challenge me, a move that is going to twist my insides and make me a different better person, etc. This one is no different. We are going to be moving. What happens when the Bishop knows that you are moving? For me this means I get to give a talk....when will I have time to prepare that talk? Not much if it's around the time right before we leave or after we get to the new place we are going.....so, maybe the Bishop is going to ask us to speak. I don't know but either way whether it's because of my weakness or because He is preparing me to give a talk I'm thankful for inspiration and revelation. Neither of which I'm proficient at receiving, understanding or acting upon yet, but it's my goal to be able to. I realize that this may take a lifetime but how else do you take the Holy Spirit for your guide? If I'm going to raise spiritual giants I'm going to need the help of the Holy Ghost constantly. If I"m going to protect them from evil and teach them to rely on the Holy Ghost I better be doing it myself....I have a BIG job ahead of me...
...and if I'm asked to speak and the Bishop says fasting is the topic, I'm going have myself a little chuckle and be grateful for inspiration. And if not, I'll know more about fasting and maybe be better at it.
"The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal jouney. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration." There you have it. Now I understand the difference.
Another important thing he talked about was dreams as a form of revelation. I seem to tend to this at times in my life. I have had dreams that I knew were revelation but questioned that because in the dream the person in it....ie a Bishop or Stake Pres. was no longer the Bishop or Stake Pres. in my dream. So it couldn't have been significant or prophetic dream right?.... Here's another quote that answered another question, "Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness. If you strive to capture the content immediately, you can record great detail, but otherwise it fades rapidly. Inspired communication in the night is generally accompanied by a sacred feeling for the entire experience. The Lord USES INDIVIDUALS FOR WHOM WE HAVE GREAT RESPECT TO TEACH US TRUTHS IN A DREAM BECAUSE WE TRUST THEM AND WILL LISTEN TO THEIR COUNSEL. It is the Lord doing the teaching through the Holy Ghost. However, He may in a dream make it both easier to understand and more likely to touch our hearts by teaching us through someone we love and respect."
That explains SO much for me. So when I finished listening, and reading and re-reading his talk I knew I had to do the things he talked about doing. One includes fasting properly......I don't fast very well. It's a weakness of mine. On Sunday, when it should be noted that I was fasting for revelation and inspiration, I thought I need to write a talk on Fasting. Why you ask? I have no idea....I don't really want to. I just had a feeling that I should. Writing a talk isn't what I do for fun but it wouldn't leave my mind So I sat down and started gathering my thoughts, I even wrote some things down. I quit though because I'm really trying to buckle down and get some things organized for the move coming up. Then it occured to me. Perhaps this was a prompting/inspiration....but why? Why would I need to write a talk now about a specific topic? The first answer is because I need it. Joy I thought....yet another weakness to work on. Then today I felt the real reason I needed to start writing. The Lord knows me. When he inspires me to do things or when there is change or something difficult for me He usually gives me advanced notice. A calling that is going to really challenge me, a move that is going to twist my insides and make me a different better person, etc. This one is no different. We are going to be moving. What happens when the Bishop knows that you are moving? For me this means I get to give a talk....when will I have time to prepare that talk? Not much if it's around the time right before we leave or after we get to the new place we are going.....so, maybe the Bishop is going to ask us to speak. I don't know but either way whether it's because of my weakness or because He is preparing me to give a talk I'm thankful for inspiration and revelation. Neither of which I'm proficient at receiving, understanding or acting upon yet, but it's my goal to be able to. I realize that this may take a lifetime but how else do you take the Holy Spirit for your guide? If I'm going to raise spiritual giants I'm going to need the help of the Holy Ghost constantly. If I"m going to protect them from evil and teach them to rely on the Holy Ghost I better be doing it myself....I have a BIG job ahead of me...
...and if I'm asked to speak and the Bishop says fasting is the topic, I'm going have myself a little chuckle and be grateful for inspiration. And if not, I'll know more about fasting and maybe be better at it.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Direct sales companies/products I love
Direct sales companies I like or products that really work. I've been accumulating/using different products and seeing what products actually worked the way the companies say they will. Just my opinion but thought I would post them anyway.
www.thirtyonegifts.com- Utility Tote, thermal totes, cosmetic bag, wallets(love them), purses are FANTASTIC and the wall organizer(LOVE), and also the baskets and backpacks all are able to be embroidered and are available in many different colors and patterns.
www.arbonne.com- RE9 Advanced Firming Body Cream...it HONESTLY WORKS! I saw a difference in my stretch marks overnight. They are not cured completely but I could see how over time it would work really really well! LOVE THIS STUFF!!!
www..marykay.com- miracle set...oil free eye make-up remover...satin hands & satin lips (amazing)....body wash/shaving gel....love all these things!
www.pamperedchef.com-I should maybe say which product I don't like rather than my faves but I do use certain products more often than others. This should probably be an entire post.
www.scentsy.com- love the scentsy buddies, and Luna is my all-time favorite scent....at least for now.
www.velata.com-sister company of scentsy, chocolate and fondue pots....need I say more?
www.shelfreliance.com-obviously something I feel strongly about.
www.cookielee.com- I don't always love all their products but I like that the jewelry is sturdy and if I lose it I don't cry because it was expensive but I looks like it was. They also have a product not in their catalog for those with sensitive ears that is a paint onto the back of the earrings and so the skin doesn't come into contact with the metal....Alyssa has this problem. Saved us!
There are more but I will have to break down each company one day and if you have others that you love let me know. I enjoy accumulating things that are fabulous that I can recommend to others that WORK! Products that are just great! Oh and the consultants that sell them too....
www.thirtyonegifts.com- Utility Tote, thermal totes, cosmetic bag, wallets(love them), purses are FANTASTIC and the wall organizer(LOVE), and also the baskets and backpacks all are able to be embroidered and are available in many different colors and patterns.
www.arbonne.com- RE9 Advanced Firming Body Cream...it HONESTLY WORKS! I saw a difference in my stretch marks overnight. They are not cured completely but I could see how over time it would work really really well! LOVE THIS STUFF!!!
www..marykay.com- miracle set...oil free eye make-up remover...satin hands & satin lips (amazing)....body wash/shaving gel....love all these things!
www.pamperedchef.com-I should maybe say which product I don't like rather than my faves but I do use certain products more often than others. This should probably be an entire post.
www.scentsy.com- love the scentsy buddies, and Luna is my all-time favorite scent....at least for now.
www.velata.com-sister company of scentsy, chocolate and fondue pots....need I say more?
www.shelfreliance.com-obviously something I feel strongly about.
www.cookielee.com- I don't always love all their products but I like that the jewelry is sturdy and if I lose it I don't cry because it was expensive but I looks like it was. They also have a product not in their catalog for those with sensitive ears that is a paint onto the back of the earrings and so the skin doesn't come into contact with the metal....Alyssa has this problem. Saved us!
There are more but I will have to break down each company one day and if you have others that you love let me know. I enjoy accumulating things that are fabulous that I can recommend to others that WORK! Products that are just great! Oh and the consultants that sell them too....
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Change
The days are flying by. My life is changing so quickly. We are moving next month, my children are growing and changing and last week my Grandfather died. I'm feeling pulled in a million different directions emotionally and also feeling a million different emotions. Mostly though, I'm just thankful. Thankful that I have my health, my children have theirs, they aren't fighting some horrible incurable disease, my husband is by my side and he is who I am relying on when my emotions are my biggest weakness and I am feeling like I just can't do this. I'm glad I have him. He is strong when I am not. The opportunities ahead of us are exciting and I'm trying to focus on that.
My Grandfather, my Dad's father, wasn't well. He had congestive heart failure so we knew at some point in the not too distant future he was likely going to pass away, however he had started taking medications that seemed to really be helping him. He had improved and then one day, he was just gone. This Grandpa was such a joy and I'm going to miss him. I'm just grateful that I get to be here for the funeral....
My Grandfather, my Dad's father, wasn't well. He had congestive heart failure so we knew at some point in the not too distant future he was likely going to pass away, however he had started taking medications that seemed to really be helping him. He had improved and then one day, he was just gone. This Grandpa was such a joy and I'm going to miss him. I'm just grateful that I get to be here for the funeral....
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Gluten Free Food Storage
For anyone who might be gluten free and need help with food storage stuff. Here is a sale on Gluten free goodies for you food storage!!
You can order it from my website @: www.thrivefoodstore.shelfreliance.com
Gluten Free Package
Catalog ID: 25432
Regular Price: $1684.34
Sale Price: $1396.49
Contents
12 White Rice
6 Millet
6 Cornmeal
6 Rice Flour
4 Quinoa
6 Amaranth
1 Sweet Corn (FD)
1 Broccoli (FD)
4 Carrot Dices
2 Chopped Onions
2 Split Green Peas
1 Potato Dices (FD)
3 Green Peas (FD)
6 Potato Chunks
6 Tomato Powder
2 Bananas (FD)
2 Strawberries (FD)
2 Raspberries (FD)
6 Apple Slices
1 Pineapple Chunks (FD)
1 Blueberries (FD)
1 Blackberries (FD)
6 Powdered Milk
4 Cheese Blend
4 Chocolate Drink Mix
6 Whole Egg Powder
1 Black Beans
6 Pinto Beans
3 Lentils
2 Lima Beans
3 Chicken TVP
3 Bacon TVP
5 Taco TVP
2 White Sugar
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Double Digits- Natalie's belated birthday post
Natalie's 10
Natalie goofing off on the computer with the web cam....
After the scooter incident, wherein she flew over said scooter and bit the pavement face-first...
Where does the time go? It's seems cliche' to say but time really does fly! Today my eldest child is in double digits. In keeping with a tradition I've tried to stick with I thought I would dedicate a blog post to her.
Right now Natalie loves: Stuffed animals, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, reading, playing on the computer, playing outside, reading, playing with her friends, riding her bike/scooter, reading, her teacher Mr. Gabler, and giving talks in church.
Her favorite food is probably homemade mac and cheese and she is loves helping me cook and bake. She is a very good friend and always doing the right thing. She has a lot of friends and is really good in school. She is also in advanced math now. She's been working most of the year for this and is very excited to have finally reached it. She loves to read and her testing in school for reading, and reading comprehension are way above average. Her lexile is 958 and average for her age and grade level I'm told is about 400-500. Her teacher tells me basically she about 2 grade levels above average. A fact I'm proud of but can not take credit for. Yes, I'm a proud Mama!
She LOVES science and is always doing extra reports and experiments in that area. Once the family made a volcano and she loved that. Now shes a bit more advanced than that but her love of science hasn't diminished. In fact she just did an extra credit report on ants complete with pictures, it was fantastic. She wrote it all herself and copied nothing, it was all from memory. She told jokes about ants in it and everything. I'll have to post it if I have time. She is a perfect student and her teacher wishes my permission to clone her and place her clones strategically in the class to help with the other students....oh and she got an A on the report. She loves it and I have to say that I love her teacher. He has picked up on Natalie's love of science and math and encouraged her to do better and she has. (Of course he also offers her Hershey's kisses if she or any of the other kids in class will help put up chairs and clean up after school....she stays after everyday.)
Natalie is also very responsible and very kind. Like her Father she is often one step ahead of me in daily tasks and responsibilities. She has a sweet personality that is compassionate and always worried that people get treated fairly....much like her mother. She has her ears pierced and loves to wear earrings and have her hair done... She is a bit taller than average and has braces. Last year we also found out that she is nearsighted...or whatever it means when you can't see far away and can see close up. She has some adorable pink glasses which she loves because now she can see things she couldn't before like the leaves on the trees. That first day with her glasses walking to school was a new day for her.
I just got her test results back from ATS here in the Sacramento area. It's a Cal State University sponsored program that looks for talented children and tests them to see what areas they are strongest in and offers summer classes that helps challenge them in areas they are strong in and strengthen them in areas they are less strong in. Natalie is testing in the 80th percentile nationally for verbal meaning language arts, social science and life sciences, and 57th in math which includes computer science, engineering mathematics, and physical sciences). Basically what the teacher says is that she excels in one catagory and does well in both. Her strength, (based on my observation, and this test) seems to be that she learns best by hearing things. A trait she no doubt picks up from her father. Enough of the bragging proud Mommy stuff. Here are some pictures of my sweet 10 year old girl.
This picture was when I was expecting Ethan and the girls wanted to play "Bella Dance-arella". They were supposed to be cleaning their room. And me doing Bella Dance-Arella prego was not a pretty thing....
Play time with Daddy!
First day of first grade with Mrs./Sis. Fullmer, one of Natalie's all time favorite teachers!
One of Natalie's best friends.... Natalie W.
SISTERS!
At recess you will find Natalie playing on the monkey bars or doing tricks on the parallel bars. Her favorite though is creating cheers/dance routines to popular songs with a team and performing in competitions in said groups. She coordinates the teams, makes up the dance/cheer moves, assigns the parts and organizes the practices during recesses. She also coordinates what all the girls will wear for the competitions and on what day to wear them. She is like that with her things on and in her dresser too. It looks messy to me but she has a spot for everything and can usually find something if I ask her for it. (That she gets from me.) She is also fairly creative and artistic as well. She likes to draw and is good at it and painting as well. She got some yarn and knitting needles from her Grandma Goodman and will be learning that art soon. No doubt she will pick it up quickly.
She is really good at helping with the younger kids and doesn't usually mind when I ask her to do something. She loves playing on the computer and networks with other kids (on games I approve of) to play. She does chores (almost always) when I ask and is great at explaining things so that I or others can understand. (Much like her father) Some of her chores currently include but are not limited to: unloading/loading the dishwasher, feeding the dog, feeding the chickens, cleaning her room, folding laundry, putting away clothes, setting the table for dinner/clearing the table after dinner, and helping to clean the living room. There are others but these seem to be the consistent ones.
She has lots of friends and includes her younger sister in nearly everything she does. She is a great big sister and Nate and I love her and are so proud of her! We love you Natalie. We are so glad you are part of our family!!!
Natalie made this mask and was being Barbie as a Muskateer here while decorating the Christmas tree! Classic Natty!
Love you Nats!
Natalie in 2004 while visiting cousins in Utah. She didn't want to come down from the stairs...
Touchdown!!!! At Ben and Holly's wedding.
Natalie goofing off on the computer with the web cam....
After the scooter incident, wherein she flew over said scooter and bit the pavement face-first...Where does the time go? It's seems cliche' to say but time really does fly! Today my eldest child is in double digits. In keeping with a tradition I've tried to stick with I thought I would dedicate a blog post to her.
Right now Natalie loves: Stuffed animals, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, reading, playing on the computer, playing outside, reading, playing with her friends, riding her bike/scooter, reading, her teacher Mr. Gabler, and giving talks in church.
Her favorite food is probably homemade mac and cheese and she is loves helping me cook and bake. She is a very good friend and always doing the right thing. She has a lot of friends and is really good in school. She is also in advanced math now. She's been working most of the year for this and is very excited to have finally reached it. She loves to read and her testing in school for reading, and reading comprehension are way above average. Her lexile is 958 and average for her age and grade level I'm told is about 400-500. Her teacher tells me basically she about 2 grade levels above average. A fact I'm proud of but can not take credit for. Yes, I'm a proud Mama!
She LOVES science and is always doing extra reports and experiments in that area. Once the family made a volcano and she loved that. Now shes a bit more advanced than that but her love of science hasn't diminished. In fact she just did an extra credit report on ants complete with pictures, it was fantastic. She wrote it all herself and copied nothing, it was all from memory. She told jokes about ants in it and everything. I'll have to post it if I have time. She is a perfect student and her teacher wishes my permission to clone her and place her clones strategically in the class to help with the other students....oh and she got an A on the report. She loves it and I have to say that I love her teacher. He has picked up on Natalie's love of science and math and encouraged her to do better and she has. (Of course he also offers her Hershey's kisses if she or any of the other kids in class will help put up chairs and clean up after school....she stays after everyday.)
Natalie is also very responsible and very kind. Like her Father she is often one step ahead of me in daily tasks and responsibilities. She has a sweet personality that is compassionate and always worried that people get treated fairly....much like her mother. She has her ears pierced and loves to wear earrings and have her hair done... She is a bit taller than average and has braces. Last year we also found out that she is nearsighted...or whatever it means when you can't see far away and can see close up. She has some adorable pink glasses which she loves because now she can see things she couldn't before like the leaves on the trees. That first day with her glasses walking to school was a new day for her.
I just got her test results back from ATS here in the Sacramento area. It's a Cal State University sponsored program that looks for talented children and tests them to see what areas they are strongest in and offers summer classes that helps challenge them in areas they are strong in and strengthen them in areas they are less strong in. Natalie is testing in the 80th percentile nationally for verbal meaning language arts, social science and life sciences, and 57th in math which includes computer science, engineering mathematics, and physical sciences). Basically what the teacher says is that she excels in one catagory and does well in both. Her strength, (based on my observation, and this test) seems to be that she learns best by hearing things. A trait she no doubt picks up from her father. Enough of the bragging proud Mommy stuff. Here are some pictures of my sweet 10 year old girl.
This picture was when I was expecting Ethan and the girls wanted to play "Bella Dance-arella". They were supposed to be cleaning their room. And me doing Bella Dance-Arella prego was not a pretty thing....
Play time with Daddy!
First day of first grade with Mrs./Sis. Fullmer, one of Natalie's all time favorite teachers!
One of Natalie's best friends.... Natalie W.
SISTERS!At recess you will find Natalie playing on the monkey bars or doing tricks on the parallel bars. Her favorite though is creating cheers/dance routines to popular songs with a team and performing in competitions in said groups. She coordinates the teams, makes up the dance/cheer moves, assigns the parts and organizes the practices during recesses. She also coordinates what all the girls will wear for the competitions and on what day to wear them. She is like that with her things on and in her dresser too. It looks messy to me but she has a spot for everything and can usually find something if I ask her for it. (That she gets from me.) She is also fairly creative and artistic as well. She likes to draw and is good at it and painting as well. She got some yarn and knitting needles from her Grandma Goodman and will be learning that art soon. No doubt she will pick it up quickly.
She is really good at helping with the younger kids and doesn't usually mind when I ask her to do something. She loves playing on the computer and networks with other kids (on games I approve of) to play. She does chores (almost always) when I ask and is great at explaining things so that I or others can understand. (Much like her father) Some of her chores currently include but are not limited to: unloading/loading the dishwasher, feeding the dog, feeding the chickens, cleaning her room, folding laundry, putting away clothes, setting the table for dinner/clearing the table after dinner, and helping to clean the living room. There are others but these seem to be the consistent ones.
She has lots of friends and includes her younger sister in nearly everything she does. She is a great big sister and Nate and I love her and are so proud of her! We love you Natalie. We are so glad you are part of our family!!!
Natalie made this mask and was being Barbie as a Muskateer here while decorating the Christmas tree! Classic Natty!Love you Nats!
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